By: Terann McKenzie
Dean of Training and Innovation, CTI
When I made the decision to relocate to Eleuthera, it was more than a professional move; it was a deliberate step toward purpose. I knew I wasn’t just changing my address; I was changing the direction of my life. I joined the team at the One Eleuthera Foundation (OEF) to serve as the Dean of Training and Innovation at the Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI), with a clear goal: to help create lasting pathways for learning, opportunity, and empowerment that will reach every corner of this tranquil island.
Rediscovering the Magic of Eleuthera
It didn’t take me long to remember why Eleuthera is so special. My connection to this island runs deep. As a child, I spent summers here, exploring its shores and enjoying its easy rhythm of life. Later, as a young adult, I returned for vacations, drawn again by the warmth of the people and the quiet magic that seems to live in every settlement. Those memories came flooding back when I arrived—a reminder that Eleuthera is not just beautiful; it is home in the truest sense.
The Power of a Trade
With family roots on the island, I’ve seen firsthand how having a trade can change a person’s life. It’s more than a means of employment. For many, it’s a foundation for independence and entrepreneurship. Skilled hands have built homes, supported families, and sustained communities across Eleuthera for generations.
Education Abroad, Appreciation at Home
Although I was blessed with the opportunity to travel abroad to pursue my education, I have never lost sight of the value of practical skills. A trade can open doors that formal education alone sometimes cannot. It provides stability, pride, and a legacy that extends beyond one individual.
The Challenge Facing Family Islands
Yet, like many of our Family Islands, Eleuthera continues to face the challenge of limited access to higher and continuing education. Too many bright, talented Bahamians must leave their home island to find opportunities elsewhere. When this happens, we lose not only skilled workers but also mentors, role models, and community builders. That reality is precisely why I accepted this position—to help bridge that gap and ensure that Eleutherans can access the tools they need to thrive, right where they are.
OEF’s Commitment to Community Empowerment
OEF has long championed educational advancement on the island. Founded on principles of community empowerment, sustainability, and equity, OEF’s mission is to create opportunities for Bahamians to thrive where they live and to ensure that Eleutherans are not just participants in development but leaders and beneficiaries of it.
CTI: Where Skills Meet Innovation
At the heart of this movement is the Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI), OEF’s education and workforce development arm. CTI was created in response to a real need: the gap between traditional education and the practical skills required in today’s Bahamian economy. It is a space where hands-on trades meet innovation, where learning is not just about theory but about application, creativity, and confidence.
My Role as Dean: Expanding Access and Opportunity
As Dean, my role is to expand access to continuing and vocational education across Eleuthera in practical, inclusive, and transformative ways. This means blending trades training with theory, entrepreneurship, and innovation. It means ensuring residents don’t have to leave home to gain world-class skills or pursue meaningful careers.
Building Self-Reliance Through Skills
Our goal is to empower Eleutherans to build, manage, and innovate for themselves—reducing dependence on outside labor and helping the island achieve greater self-reliance. Whether training local electricians to install solar systems, helping artisans reach global markets online, or teaching basic bookkeeping to small business owners, every new skill strengthens the foundation of our island economy.
Innovation Rooted in Local Realities
Innovation, for us, isn’t just about technology. True innovation is creative problem-solving rooted in local realities and a mindset that emphasizes potential instead of limitations. How can we use what we have, right here on Eleuthera, to solve our own challenges? How can we ensure that development isn’t just about new buildings, but about building people?
CTI’s Mission: Developing Leaders and Changemakers
At CTI, we seek to answer these questions by providing resources, training, and support through expanded access to adult and continuing education. We are charged not only with developing skilled workers but cultivating leaders, trailblazers, and problem-solvers who will shape Eleuthera’s next chapter.
The Impact So Far: Over 600 Graduates
To date, CTI has trained and graduated more than 600 students, providing NAECOB-accredited and nationally recognized certifications. As a Small Island Developing State, The Bahamas relies heavily on a few key sectors, making it difficult to absorb all job seekers. Technical and vocational training (TVET) is not optional—it is essential. Studies show investments in TVET can increase employability by up to 40% and drive sustainable local growth.
Building Pathways to Success
Education is the bridge between what is and what can be. Through the ongoing work of OEF and CTI’s main campus in Rock Sound and satellite school on Harbour Island, we will continue to bridge gaps and build pathways to success—one learner, one skill, and one community at a time. By investing in people and practical skills, we are building the human infrastructure for sustainable growth, stronger communities, greater opportunities, and a future where no one is left behind.
A Future Built by Eleutherans, for Eleutherans
Relocating to Eleuthera has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career. Every day, I’m reminded that transformation happens not through grand gestures but through consistent investment in people. As Dean of Training and Innovation, I am committed to helping CTI expand its reach, deepen its impact, and prepare Eleutherans for the evolving demands of a global economy.
My aspiration is to see Eleuthera strengthened as a hub of skilled, confident, and creative Bahamians who are building their own future—right here at home.
